At the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2024, APM Terminals, a global leader in container terminal operations, and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) inked a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signaling a collaborative effort towards the development of a cutting-edge container terminal at the upcoming Vadhavan mega port in Maharashtra.
The Vadhavan Port, strategically situated 150 km north of Mumbai on the west coast, is a pivotal initiative by the Government of India. APM Terminals, renowned for its extensive presence in 62 key locations worldwide, expressed eagerness to contribute to this ambitious project, highlighting the port’s exceptional connectivity to the National Highway Road network and the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) rail network.
The MoU was signed in the presence of the Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and AYUSH, Sarbananda Sonowal, and APM Terminals Global Chief Executive Officer, Keith Svendsen. The event also saw the representation of JNPA by Chairman In Charge, Unmesh Sharad Wagh.
Jonathan Goldner, Regional Managing Director APM Terminals Asia Middle East, shared his enthusiasm about the collaboration: “In recent years, APM Terminals has made significant investments at both APM Terminals Pipavav and APM Terminals Mumbai and delivered world-class efficiency at both ports. We are excited to partner with JNPA in exploring the opportunity of the project at Vadhavan.”
He added, “We believe that Vadhavan’s location combined with our ability to build and operate world-leading ports creates an attractive opportunity to support the growth of local manufacturers, exporters, importers, and the regional economy in general. The investment will drive the local economy by creating job opportunities for locals.”
The Vadhavan port, with an estimated cost exceeding US$10 billion (Rs 76, 220 crore), is a key priority for the Government of India. Once completed, the port is poised to handle an annual cargo of 23 million TEUs/254 million ton, making it one of the ten largest ports globally. With a natural draft of 20 m, the port will accommodate larger container vessels of up to 20,000 TEUs and serve as a green fuel hub.
This strategic partnership between APM Terminals and JNPA marks a significant step towards the realization of the Vadhavan mega port, promising substantial economic growth, job creation, and enhanced global trade opportunities for the region.